The 15 best Mediterranean restaurants in the US, according to Yelp

Yelp ranked the best Mediterranean restaurants in the country based on customer reviews. David Silverman/Getty Images From creamy hummus to inventive shawarma bowls, Mediterranean cuisine continues to grow in popularity across the country.While other cuisines within the fast-casual sector saw sales slow in 2025, Mediterranean concepts experienced significant growth, Restaurant Business reported, citing Technomic data. Brands including Cava, Nick the Greek, and the Great Greek Mediterranean Grill each saw sales increase by more than 20% in 2025.The growing interest in Mediterranean food — which comes amid the popularity of the Mediterranean diet, routinely named as one of the healthiest ways of eating — extends beyond nationwide chains.Yelp analyzed reviews from its elite members, who most consistently share high-quality reviews on the site, to identify the top Mediterranean restaurants across the US, with the No. 1 spot going to a restaurant in Scottsdale, Arizona.All businesses were marked open on Yelp and have a passing health score as of June 23, 2026.Here are the 15 best Mediterranean restaurants in the US in 2026, according to Yelp. 15. Middle East Cafe in Berkeley, California Middle East Cafe. MyMy T./Yelp What to order: Lamb shank, GheymehWhat customers are saying: "If you're looking for a good falafel, you have to try this place! They make it as a wrap, and it is about a foot long! Huge and simply delicious! There's parking in the back, a great bar, and a wonderful patio area in the back! There's a market next door where you can get great sweets and other market products! Definitely an experience, and I must try! We'll definitely be back," wrote Yelp user May K.Learn more about Middle East Cafe here. 14. Barbouzard in Washington, DC Barbouzard. Jeremiah B./Yelp What to order: Hanger steak, grilled octopusWhat customers are saying: "From the moment we walked in, the service was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. The food was absolutely exceptional! Every dish was bursting with rich, authentic flavor and made with incredible attention to detail. The presentation was just as impressive as the taste, beautifully plated and thoughtfully crafted, making the entire experience feel elevated and special," wrote Yelp user Rowan H.Learn more about Barbouzard here. 13. Paolina in Brooklyn, New York Paolina. David N./Yelp What to order: Falafel pita, friesWhat customers are saying: "This is the best falafel I've had. The falafel itself comes out warm and fresh, with a very crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior, and when paired with all the other toppings, you get a very refreshing bite. I love the hummus, the crunchy vegetables, and the soft pita bread. Together, this creates an amazing bite and a very large sandwich," wrote Yelp user Mark S.Learn more about Paolina here. 12. Olive Kabab and Gyro in Fort Worth, Texas Olive Kabab and Gyro. Bigge S./Yelp What to order: Beef shawarma plate, gyro sandwichWhat customers are saying: "Was in Fort Worth on a Costco run and was craving Mediterranean food and stumbled across this place. Walking in, you could tell this place was going to be good. I ordered the Kafta Kabab plate, and it did not disappoint at all! Very tender, flavorful, big portions! I haven't had Mediterranean this good in years since I've been here in Texas. Will make the drive from Denton to here for this place," wrote Yelp user Christian N.Learn more about Olive Kabab and Gyro here. 11. Shawarma Stop in Morrisville, North Carolina Shawarma Stop. Shawarma Stop/Yelp What to order: Chicken shawarma wrap, spicy muhammara chicken wrapWhat customers are saying: "Quick service even though a busy lunch crowd. Plenty of seats and very clean. Most authentic and flavorful chicken shawarma wrap. The pickle added just the right amount of crisp to the wrap. Side of fries and lemonade made it perfect," wrote Yelp user Shane C.Learn more about Shawarma Stop here. 10. Stephanos Greek & Mediterranean Grill in Las Vegas Stephanos Greek & Mediterranean Grill. Stephanos Greek & Mediterranean Grill/Yelp What to order: Chicken kebab plate, chicken souvlaki wrapWhat customers are saying: "Stephanos popped up as somewhere locals love. Thought I'd give them a try as they have good reviews. Happy to say this spot did not disappoint. The salmon bowl was absolutely delicious. I think it is the best bowl I have ever tried! That says a lot, as I always have bowls at different spots. They are also generous with the portion. Customer service was excellent. I asked the worker for recommendations, and he recommended the salmon bowl and said it was popular. Inside, they have a lot of tables and have AC blasting to combat the Vegas heat," wrote Yelp user Bianca G.Learn more about Stephanos Greek & Mediterranean Grill here. 9. Mama Mezze in New York Mama Mezze. Mama Mezze/Yelp What to order: Whipped feta, mushroom hummusWhat customers are saying: "Mezze is such a gem. The food is incredibly fresh, full of flavor, and beautifully presented[.] Every dish tastes like it was made with real care and authentic Mediterranean touch. The fattoush was super fresh and delicious, and the crispy zucchini had the perfect crunch. The shish taouk was a standout tender, perfectly grilled, and packed with flavor. The atmosphere feels warm and welcoming, and the staff is genuinely friendly and attentive. It's the perfect spot for a cozy, satisfying meal. Definitely a place I'll be coming back to," wrote Yelp user Karina R.Learn more about Mama Mezze here. 8. Purslane in Milwaukee Purslane. Ran C./Yelp What to order: Meze trio, Ali Nazik beef kebabWhat customers are saying: "Purslane might be my most favorite restaurant in the city! I've been for dinner a few times, and it is such a great place for girls' dinner, date night, or bringing visitors! We recently went for the Sunday brunch, which is only available on the last Sunday of the month. You definitely don't want to miss the breakfast sandwich. The people working there recognize me, if that tells you anything about how much I love Purslane," wrote Yelp user McKenna S.Learn more about Purslane here. 7. Zoya in San Diego Zoya. Raniah C./Yelp What to order: Muhammara, chicken shawarma bowlWhat customers are saying: "Zoya absolutely exceeded my expectations! Everything we ordered was fresh, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. The [mezze] platter had an amazing variety of delicious appetizers, the chicken shawarma plate was juicy, tender, and packed with authentic flavor, and the Too Hot to Handle Pizza was the perfect balance of spicy and cheesy with an incredible crust," wrote Yelp user Sam.Learn more about Zoya here. 6. Greens and Grill in Las Vegas Greens and Grill. Owen K./Yelp What to order: Spicy chicken kabob, gyro plateWhat customers are saying: "Always consistent, amazing food. Don't know what to get? A combination plate never hurts. I usually do takeout, and they never forget anything. Amazing service, always hot and fresh food. Three locations conveniently placed in different parts of Vegas," wrote Yelp user Slick M.Learn more about Greens and Grill here. 5. Zait & Zaatar in Aliso Viejo, California Zait & Zaatar. Archie S./Yelp What to order: Kafta, kabob plateWhat customers are saying: "Zait & Zaatar is seriously one of my favorite Lebanese spots. The food is always so fresh, but the meat was definitely the standout for me — so juicy, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. I also loved the fattoush salad because it was so crisp and refreshing, especially with all the grilled meat. And I have to mention the tamarind sauce because it was SO good. It had the perfect sweet and tangy flavor, and I ended up putting it on everything," wrote Yelp user Hira R.Learn more about Zait & Zaatar here. 4. Pidde G in Walnut Creek, California Pidde G. Michael N./Yelp What to order: Turkish Delight, LahmacunWhat customers are saying: "Delightful experience at PiddeG. The meze sampler — featuring falafel and dolma — was fresh and flavorful, and the triangle baklava, with its delicate honey and pistachio layers, provided the perfect sweet finish to the meal. We're looking forward to returning to try their signature pidde, a traditional Turkish flatbread often compared to pizza — especially the diced beef variation, which is said to be one of their most popular offerings," wrote Yelp user Ang S.Learn more about Pidde G here. 3. Ethos Greek Bistro in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Ethos Greek Bistro. James T./Yelp What to order: Greek salad, kefteWhat customers are saying: "This was my first time coming to this location. The food is so good! We ordered hummus and pita, filet mignon, orzo paella, and the grilled chicken platter. Everything was delicious! The inside is a little tight at this location, with only a few tables inside. There are tables outside, but you do have to pretend that you're not sitting in the Dollar Tree parking lot. The staff was very attentive and friendly. I will definitely return to try the lamb chops next time," wrote Yelp user Jessie M.Learn more about Ethos Greek Bistro here. 2. Kassi in Venice, California Kassi. Kassi/Yelp What to order: Whipped avocado, spanakopita quesadillaWhat customers are saying: "We came here for a work event, and I was surprisingly impressed with the food here. Usually, for a place with good vibes and good views, you don't really expect the food to be good either, but it actually was! My favorite bites were the zucchini fries, the flatbread, the chicken skewer, and the taramasalata dip. Service is really great as well; they come and check in on you often," wrote Yelp user Kathy X.Learn more about Kassi here. 1. Pinyon in Scottsdale, Arizona Pinyon. Jessica B./Yelp What to order: Yellowtail crudo, chicken skewersWhat customers are saying: "We found Pinyon to be a fresh, new place. The service was exceptional, as was the food. There were four members of our party who were celebrating birthdays. Their staff was pleasant and attentive. They added to our celebration in the sweetest way," wrote Yelp user Lynda K.Learn more about Pinyon here. Read next Erin McDowell is a reporter on Business Insider's editorial partnerships team. She covers food, lifestyle, and entertainment for Business Insider and its partner sites, including MSN, Apple News, and Yahoo.She graduated from Elon University in January 2019, where she studied strategic communications and digital art. She has written for V Magazine, Milk.XYZ, OUT.com, Brides Magazine, and more. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, and can be found on LinkedIn. Please send all inquiries, comments, or tips to emcdowell@businessinsider.com.Selected stories:Celebrity-chef restaurants and Applebee's are using the same playbookChain restaurants like Chili's are coming for fast-food giants in the latest bout of the value warsI tried double cheeseburgers from 13 fast-food chains. I thought the best burger was also the best deal.I ate at the first Applebee's and IHOP hybrid restaurant in the US. Its plan to attract younger diners could just work.The chicken sandwich wars are over. Make way for the chicken tender battle.I ate the same meal at TGI Fridays and Chili's. It's clear why only one is thriving.I compared 2 world-famous barbecue spots in Texas. Both had impressive meat options, but the sides at one were way better.How 'The Bachelor' franchise went from a cultural phenomenon to a relic of reality televisionMeet Jacob Knowles, a 5th-generation Maine lobsterman who is sharing his unique career with legions of online fans Restaurants